3 Things WWE hinted on the SmackDown episode before Crown Jewel 

Last week's episode of SmackDown was noteworthy as a number of big names made appearances on the Blue Brand to spice up their respective feuds ahead of a couple of big clashes at Crown Jewel 2019.

The SmackDown episode also saw Nikki Cross pick up some momentum post an impressive victory over Mandy Rose, while a six-man Tag Team match featuring Superstars from Team Flair and Team Hogan produced a good segment as well.

Roman Reigns, Shorty G and Ali represented Team Hogan while King Corbin, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro, who replaced an injured Sami Zayn, represented Team Flair.

As a leadup to the Tag Team Turmoil Match set to take place at Crown Jewel, Dolph Ziggler and Robert Robert defeated The New Day, a fight which was followed by a few other members of the tag team division running out to the ring and taking part in a massive brawl.

Given the buildup to the Crown Jewel event on SmackDown, here are three things that WWE could be hinting on, post the PPV in Saudi Arabia.

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#3 Kofi Kingston could be out of the singles picture for some time

The New Day will be one of the nine teams competing in the Tag Team Turmoil Match at Crown Jewel. Kofi Kingston and Big E wrestled Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler in a tag team match on SmackDown, as Ziggler picked up a massive win for his team, pinning Kofi Kingston.

Kofi Kingston, who dropped the WWE Championship on the FOX debut of SmackDown is yet to get a rematch, but given that Xavier Woods recently got injured and will be out of action for several months, Kofi will fill his shoes, allowing him to compete in tag team matches more frequently.

Given Kofi's involvement in the Tag Team division, he will not be getting many opportunities as a singles Superstar, atleast until Xavier Woods returns to the squared circle.

#2 Lacey Evans will be a top star on SmackDown

Lacey Evans is one Superstar who has been enjoying an astounding run, since making her debut on the main roster earlier this year. Post her move to SmackDown, Evans has stamped her dominance and has looked as a force to reckon with in the recent past. Evans didn't win the Six-Pack Challenge Match last week, but she earned a comprehensive win over a local wrestler this week, taking just a few seconds to win the bout.

Evans received an immediate title shot after getting drafted to RAW, but the scenario will not be the same on SmackDown. Nikki Cross has already earned her shot at Bayley's Championship and will be involved in the feud for some time to come.

Given that Cross will be facing off against Bayley, it will be interesting to see how the company brings Evans into the title picture if and when Cross wins the belt. There is no doubt that Evans has impressed as a heel, and it is unlikely that she will turn a babyface. Unless Bayley drops the title, Evans will not be challenging for the SmackDown Women's Championship anytime soon, but can be backed to produce some quality matches.

#1 Shinsuke Nakamura and Daniel Bryan will have a rivalry after Crown Jewel

Shinsuke Nakamura, who is the reigning Intercontinental Champion, will be part of Crown Jewel, but he will not be seen putting the title on the line. Nakamura is one of the five members of Team Flair and as a preview of the PPV, he competed in the Six-Man Tag Team Match between Team Hogan and Team Flair on SmackDown this week.

An interesting segment took place between Nakamura and Daniel Bryan this week, which certainly hinted that Bryan could be in line for a shot at the IC title. Bryan was quizzed about the return of Yes Movement after a glimpse last week, before he was interrupted by Sami Zayn and Nakamura. While Zayn and Nakamura tried influencing Bryan to join them as a heel, the latter refused to join forces as he walked out of the ring.

Bryan will not be part of Crown Jewel, but his eyes are set on the Intercontinental Championship. With Sami Zayn as the mouthpiece of Nakamura, the feud will get more intense in the next few weeks and Bryan would love to get his hands on the Intercontinental Championship for the second time in his career.